IKA NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, USA, INC. SPONSORS A MEDICAL MISSION TO IKA LAND

In their continuing efforts to alleviate the sufferings of their fellow indigenes specifically due to the lack of adequate medical care in Ika land, and to foster the well being of their fellow Ika indigenes, members of Ika National Association, USA, Inc. are sponsoring a Medical Mission to Ika land.
The African Women’s Cancer Awareness Association which is domiciled in the United States of America will be at the Ika National Hall on October 27 and 28, 2011 to screen for a myriad of diseases. The screening, which will be performed by qualified medical professionals (Doctors, Registered Nurses, etc.), is open to men, women and children. These medical professionals possess requisite certifications in their respective areas of discipline.

Diabetic team – will check blood sugar &amp; cholesterol and teach nutrition and diet.
Pediatric Team.
CPR Group. This group will teach cardio pulmonary resuscitation. It would be great if arrangements can be made to teach this technique to Physicians, medicals students, nurses, health care providers, technicians, etc.
Group for general medicine to include hypertension, fever, etc.
The group will come with medications to treat various ailments.

Additionally, the African Women’s Cancer Awareness Association would love to give out a $500 scholarship to an IKA indigene in memory of Stacey Onyeka Idoye, an IKA daughter who lost her battle to cancer in 2005. Interested candidates are advised to visit their website at www.awcaa.org for requirements and/or qualifications. Ika Weekly Newspaper Staff will coordinate the selection process.

The African Women’s Cancer Awareness Association has undertaken many medical missions around the world, including many parts of Nigeria and Africa. We are glad that they will be bringing their expertise and humanitarian prowess to our people.

The African Women’s Cancer Awareness Association was founded by Mrs. Ify Anne Nwabukwu. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in nursing at the renowned Howard University in Washington, D.C. and a Degree in hospital administration at Strayer University. She is no stranger to the devastating effects of cancer, having lost an aunt, her mother and her best friend to breast cancer. It became personal when her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer while she was visiting her newborn grandchild in 1989. Her mother had to have surgery right away. She became painfully aware of the lack of early detection in African patients either due to fear, lack of regular check-ups or sometimes the scarcity of diagnostic equipment in most hospitals in Africa.
Even after treatment in one of the best hospitals in the U.S.A, there was little or no follow-up care upon her mother’s return to her village in Nigeria. Ify Anne was then determined to use her years of experience to help improve the chances of, and educate women about breast cancer.

Under the leadership of Mrs. Ify Anne Nwabukwu, The African Women’s Cancer Awareness Association has been on numerous medical missions. In 2005, in collaboration with MD Anderson under the leadership of Ms. Eucharia Iwuanyawu, AWCAA went to Imo State.

In 2007, the organization visited Sierra Leone and Enugu State. In 2008, the organization donated a mammogram machine to the then First Lady of Nigeria Hajiya Turai Usman Yar Adua. The mammogram machine sits at the Katstina General Hospital.

In 2009 led by Dr. Chukwuemeka Onyewu, AWCAA went to Anambra State where they performed 9 biopsies, 3 mastectomies, 1 lumpectomy and 1 full breast reconstruction on a post mastectomy patient.

In 2010, in collaboration with EKO Club International, AWCAA visited Lagos State where they saw 1,420 patients with 67 abnormalities.

In July 2011, again lead by Dr. Onyewu, AWCAA went to Sudan where they performed 12 surgeries, 9 workshops and outreached to well over 500 women.

The organizations programs include:

Outreach through education, Advocacy, Patient Navigation.

Scholarships for deserving African students and for children who lost their mothers through breast cancer.
Ify Anne Nwabukwu’s work through AWCAA reaches over 3000 Africans a year. Her work in the cancer community has been recognized by the State of Maryland, the Prince George’s County Government, Montgomery County Government, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, American Cancer Society, The District of Columbia and many other organizations.

She lives in Lanham, Maryland with her loving husband and four children. She remains active in the community, mentoring youth and volunteering in civic and health-based organizations. She is the Executive Director at the African Women’s Cancer Awareness Association.